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You may have fun on a funicular, but the word is not related to "fun" (which comes to us from an English dialect verb meaning "to hoax"). The noun "funicular" descends from an earlier adjective funicular, meaning "relating to a cord under tension." It was also influenced by "funiculaire," a French word used for a type of railway that is dependent upon cables (or on "cords under tension"). Ultimately, these terms trace back to the Latin noun funiculus, meaning "small rope." "Funicular" first appeared in print as an adjective in English in 1664; the noun has been with us since the early 20th century.
Examples of funicular in a Sentence
Sandra Barrera, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2024
While the hotel does not have direct beach access, guests can take the various stairs and pathways or a private glass funicular ride down to Paloma Beach located nearby.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Pueng Vongs, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024
The estate includes four combined parcels, which were purchased over several years, and has a main residence, several guest houses, a caretaker’s unit, and a funicular.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for funicular 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'funicular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Funicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funicular. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
funicular
adjective
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